HOSPITAL AGREES TO PAY DR. SILVER $25,000 IN SUIT

August 25, 2000 11:00 pm

Curry Health District has negotiated a $25,000 settlement with Dr. Mark Silver of Brookings to avoid going to trial Nov. 7.

The lawsuit filed by Brookings attorney Kim Olin on behalf of Dr. Silver against Dr. Samuel Ruben and Curry Health District charges violation of a non-compete clause signed by Ruben, as an employee at Silvers Brookings Harbor Medical Center.

The health district was included in the suit because Ruben was employed by the district when its Brookings Clinic opened in Brookings last year.

The clinic on Alder Street opened in September and closed Oct. 31 because of the law suit.

The suit against Ruben is still scheduled for a five-day, 12-person jury trial to begin at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 7.

Dr. Reg Williams, Curry General Hospital medical administrator and chief of staff, said the health district was advised by Rick Kuhn, its Portland attorney, to settle.

On the advice of our attorney, we settled, Williams said. In the settlement, the district admits no wrong doing, but (Kuhn) said to settle rather than go through a long, drawn out battle.

Williams said the way Olin wrote the suit, the hospital insurance will not cover the $25,000, but will reimburse the district for $8,000 in legal fees.